Quantifying the interaction of anthropogenic impacts and hydrodynamics on Ocean Sediment habitats to inform ecosystem-based management of an understud

Project Description

Ocean sediments provide essential habitats for species of both conservation and commercial importance, however, due to their perceived mobile nature are often considered to be appropriate for all kinds of destructive human activities, such as dredging and trawling. Such activities may reduce the habitat quality and could compromise the retention of carbon.

Due to shifting baselines associated with the historical extent of demersal trawling around the British Isles it is almost impossible to know what sediment habitats are like in the absence of human impact. In the Isles of Scilly, there is an opportunity to assess the impact of new trawling activity on relatively pristine ocean sediment habitat. This PhD will assess the impacts and recovery timescales of this habitat and associated ecosystem services in the Isles of Scilly and around the UK to inform and advise new ambitious ecosystem-based fisheries and conservation management.

The interaction between ecosystem service provision, hydrodynamics and climatic variables such as extreme storms and marine heatwaves will also be explored. Aim

Quantify the impact of bottom-towed fishing on ocean sediment habitats and the potential for recovering ocean sediments to form structurally complex habitats under different hydrodynamic settings, human levels of disturbance, and climate change related drivers. Objectives Collate existing ecological data and Ocean Sediment habitat classification schemes.

Comprehensive assessment on the impact and subsequent recovery of bottom-towed fishing on pristine Ocean Sediments habitats, species and ecosystem services in the Isles of Scilly. Analyse long-term ecological and oceanographic datasets to assess sediment habitat recovery potential.

Assess current and future threats (fishing, offshore renewables) and management solutions to optimise ecosystem services for the UK's Ocean Sediment habitats.